What’s happening with the OTT deal for Akshay Kumar-Veer Pahariya’s Sky Force?

Despite crossing the Rs 100 crore mark at the box office, Akshay Kumar and Veer Pahariya's film Sky Force has yet to secure an OTT partner. Released on January 24, 2025, the film received positive reviews and was anticipated to perform well, especially given its patriotic theme centered around India's first airstrike during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. However, the film's box office journey has been tumultuous, with reports indicating that it struggled to maintain momentum after an initial surge during the Republic Day weekend.
Before its release, skepticism surrounded Sky Force due to Kumar's recent string of underperforming films. This led many OTT platforms to be cautious about acquiring it. However, the film's financial success raised expectations. A source revealed that the reluctance from streaming platforms stems from concerns over pricing and the authenticity of the box office figures. It is believed that inflated numbers might be attributed to "block booking," where tickets are sold in bulk, potentially misleading actual audience turnout.
The film's production budget was approximately Rs 160 crores, which adds pressure for any potential OTT deal to be financially viable. Industry insiders suggest that platforms are wary of investing in a project that may not deliver expected returns based on its box office performance and viewer engagement metrics.
As Sky Force continues to navigate its post-theatrical phase, its future on streaming services remains uncertain. The film has been backed by Dinesh Vijan, Amar Kaushik and Jyoti Deshpande, it also featured Sara Ali Khan along with Nimrat Kaur in a special appearance. It has been directed by newcomers Sandeep Kewlani and Abhishek Anil Kapoor.